Makinen’s team linked to Toyota WRC future

A seven-strong contingent of Toyota Motor Corporation representatives are in Jyvaskyla this week decked out in orange t-shirts displaying TMR XGR logos, which points to a direct involvement with Makinen’s Tommi Makinen Racing operation.

MAXRALLY understands that TMC chief Akio Toyoda will spend two days with Makinen when he will get a passenger ride in a prototype GT86 World Rally Car built by TMR, which Autosport.com reports has been sanctioned by Toyoda personally. WRC TV is understood to be filming the test, while Toyoda is also due to meet championship officials during his visit to Finland.

Autosport.com has also reported that the TMR GT86 WRC is completely separate from the Yaris-based World Rally Car project being developed by Toyota Motorsport GmbH in Cologne, and the TMG-developed GT86 CS-R3.

Tommi Makinen Racing was founded in 2004 and forged a strong reputation building and preparing Group N Subaru Imprezas. It opened purpose-built premises in Puuppola, close to Jyvaskyla, in 2009. The company also operates rally schools and a corporate entertainment division.